Archive By Section - Local Life

In January, 2010, the snow started and didn't stop. And as our driveway became rather clogged with white stuff, the marital tension grew. So I solved the problem. I wrote a column on it. It became one of the most popular columns I ever wrote.

Since we were snowed in Thursday and Friday, I was not able to share the educational program titled, "Emotional Appetite: The Food and Mood Connection" so I will emphasize the important points in my column. There is no doubt that your mood has a lot to do with many of the foods you crave when you are not physically hungry. Eating to feed an emotion instead of physical hunger is considered emotional eating. Stress, depression, loneliness, frustration, anxiety, and anger are just a few emotions that can trigger cravings. Although boredom and procrastination are not necessarily considered emotions, they are ...

This year I'm enjoying a first - coaching a girl's sport, basketball. A team made up of Notre Dame de Sion juniors in the CYO league, it's a rather unusual arrangement as most coaches do things I don't. Practice, for instance. They also use those white boards to diagram plays, make strategic substitutions and scout their opponents. That's not me, not us.

With the educational programs for 2013 in full swing it is easy to see that the common theme is definitely health and wellness. Today I want to highlight a workshop that targets people who are living with a chronic condition. Read on to see how you can register.

Ian J. Watkins has completed his United States Air Force Officer Training School at Maxwell, Air Force Base, Alabama, and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant. Ian graduated from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va., with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics. Stationed at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., he is a Combat Systems Officer and will undergo extensive flight school training, aircraft weapons strategy and other related courses for the next 18 months. After completing his initial training, he will be assigned to one of the Air Force's premier fighter aircraft such as the F-22 or ...

RSVP has received a grant from the Kansas Volunteer Commission to expand into a full service volunteer center that works with volunteers of all ages. RSVP will maintain a separate identity for the over age 55 volunteers and the new Volunteer Connections will recruit and manage volunteers under age 55. We are in the process of hiring a part time person to coordinate this new program and plan to be up and running soon. Central Kansas Volunteers in Action will be the umbrella agency for the two volunteer programs; we plan to be a one-stop shop to look for volunteers ...

I'm not a doctor, but I play one at home. I'm a sleep specialist. And for most of the summer I've been conducting a clinical trial of sleep disorders. My patients: two of my teenage sons. The ones not yet old enough for a summer job.

It's hard to believe that the first month of 2013 is almost over. If you are like me, you are just now getting used to writing 2013 on letters and checks. Since it is still early in the year it is a great time to talk about the money management resources we have available at the Barton County Extension Office.

Your children eventually reach the age when you can entrust them with family heirlooms. For daughters, that is around 22. For sons, it's 45. When it arrives, daughters get jewelry, place settings and quilts. Boys? Cigar boxes, pocket knives and money clips. But last week I went out on a limb and decided it was time to give son Tommy something I truly valued. And while I deliver the punch line, refrain from that sip of coffee. Because I gave him some of my neckties.

What gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, but is cited as the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers? If you guessed radon you are absolutely right. Since January is Radon Action Awareness Month it is the perfect time to bring you up to date on this important topic.

A long and healthy life doesn't just happen. Everyday choices influence your quality of life. From healthy food choices, becoming more physically active, to working to improve a bad habit or behavior, there are many strategies to try. I will be presenting "Action Plan for Healthy Living" twice next week, sharing 15 lifestyle strategies for you to try.

Thanks to all the people that donated their time and efforts to making lap robes and caps for the Fort Dodge Christmas Project. The Ladies Auxiliary for American Legion Argonne Post 180 collected donations and presents that were delivered to the residents of the facility all of whom served in some branch of the military. Among the presents delivered were 75 lap robes and 50 adult winter caps made by RSVP volunteers and other volunteers from our community. According to Carol Danielson who helped with the delivery, the veterans were so surprised and pleased to receive the handmade items. The ...

In two weeks, the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) will hold their annual meeting in New Orleans. I am not invited. Neither will I be participating in their 9th annual Get Organized Month, which is designed to "focus national attention on how getting organized empowers people to take back control over their time, inboxes, paperwork and possessions."

With temperatures hovering into the teens it is hard to envision the subject I want to talk about today; that is gardening. Yes, you heard me right. There are actually two applications I want to share information with you about so that we can put our sights on warmer weather activities.

There is nothing like watching the Sunday School children's Christmas program to get you in the spirit of the season. Our four year old granddaughter, Calyn, took her part seriously as Mary in the manger scene. The message and songs of the evening reminded us that it is not the expensive gifts, but rather time spent together that makes the holidays special. Make sure that your holiday traditions exemplify your values. Time spent playing board or card games together, viewing your communities' Christmas lights, or enjoying a sing-a-long can help define the holidays in a way that is meaningful ...